f AN ADDRESS DELIVERED BEFORE THE EMPIRE STATE SOCIETY, | 

^ SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, g 

g OCTOBER 17, 1905, f 

£ By WILLIAM H. HENRY, | 

<§ f 

^ A MEMBER OF THE SOCIETY. ^ 




Gift 
The Socletj' 



PATRICK HENRY, 



An Address Delivered Before the Empire State Society, Sons of the American 

Revolution, October 17th, 1905, by William Hamilton Henry, 

a Member of the Society. 



Upon the occasion of a recent banquet of the Empire State Society 
of the Sons of American Revolution, a guest desired to know what "Pat 
Henry," an Irishman, had ever done that this society should have its 
annual dinner last year upon "St. Patrick's Day." It struck me only 
as a coincidence, perhaps because Henry, of Virginia, drove the British 
out of Ireland, and St. Patrick drove the snakes out of Ireland. As to 
Patrick Henry, of Virginia, an illustration of the misrepresentations in 
encyclopedias of American history may be seen in the following excerpt 
from one of the standard works : 

"Henry, Patrick. Eminent American Orator. Born Virginia 1736. 
Failed in storekeeping and farming. Induced to try law. No better 
success. But having been employed in 1755 to plead the cause of the 
people against an unpopular tax, his peculiar talent seemed suddenly to 
develop itself. Prominent influential members of the Virginia Legis- 
lature, when Virginia was deliberating upon joining Massachusetts in 
resisting the Arbitrary Policy of the Home Government. Delegate to the 
First General Convention at Philadelphia in 1774. Elected Governor 
three times. In 1795 Washington appointed him Secretary of State. ' ' 

My knowledge of Patrick Henry, of Virginia, is derived from his 
private correspondence, compiled by my kinsman, the late William Wirt 
Henry. This correspondence proves that patriotic motives and principles 
animated the immortal Henry prior to and all through the American 
Revolution, as well as in the struggle for amendments to the Constitution. 
He notably prevented the disbanding of the Continental Army of Wash- 
ington and the dissolution of the united colonies. "Fideliter" being his 
motto and that of the Henry family. 

It is a lamentable fact that Henry should be credited in encyclo- 
pedias as a "no account" lawyer and only to be regarded as "an eminent 
orator, hired to be immortalized by one speech." Personally I recall 
several instances where I have heard public speakers describe Henry as 
"born in Ireland and an innkeeper." The "barkeeper" slur can be ex- 
plained. On his journey to and from his home to the courts after his 
return to the bar, in 1788 to 1794, traveling in his old-fashioned stick-gig, 
Henry, with other lawyers, frequently patronized an inn near New Lon- 
don, which thus acquired the title of ' ' The Lawyer. ' ' His enemies used 
this incident to cast this slur upon him. As to his having failed at the 



Bar, the records of his fee books show that Henry's success and indnstry 
as a lawyer netted him from 17C-i to the ck)se of the courts in 1774 an 
average of more than 550 fee charges per year. Until renewal of trouble 
with England in 1774 his fees had enabled him to lay the foundation of 
an estate, demonstrating his industry, business capacity and legal abili- 
ties. His wonderful powers as an advocate made him especially great in 
important chancery causes, and some of his greatest triumphs were in 
arguments addressed to judges on questions of law. As a criminal lawyer 
his eloquence had the fairest scope. Henry was perfect master of the 
passions of his auditors. The tones of his voice, to say nothing of his 
matter and gestures, were insinuated into the feeling of his hearers in 
a manner that baffled description, and he could make them laugh or cry 
at pleasure. His style comprised sudden bursts of inspiration, lighting 
short sentences, dazzling and burning and striking down everything be- 
fore him, sentences spoke at critical moments which decided the fate of 
great questions. 

Patrick Henry was born in Virginia in 1736 of Scotch Covenanter 
ancestry, and died in 1799, worn out bodily through his exhaustive at- 
tention to public service. Forty years of his life were unselfishly devoted 
to patriotic work and. in executive and legislative labors for Virginia, 
to the detriment of his health, personal interests, family and wealth. 
During this trying period of forty years Henry was elected Governor six 
times. Likewise, he was honored by Washington with the tender of a 
seat in the Cabinet as Secretary of State, a place on the Supreme Court 
bench as Chief Justice and appointments as Minister to France and to 
Spain. These proffers of preferment he was obliged to decline on account 
of his impaired health. 

In the spring of 1760 Henry's ledger showed that he closed out his 
farm and store business, determining to try the law as a more congenial 
profession. A friend gave him a volume of forms of declarations and 
pleas, and he borrowed a "Coke upon Litleton" and a digest of the 
"Virginia Acts." After several months of close application and upon 
advice of John Lewis, a lawyer, Henry rode to Williamsburg and appeared 
before the board of examiners, applying for a license, which was granted 
to him for style, boldness, originality of combination, interrogatories on 
laws of nature and nations and on the policy of the feudal system and 
general history. His first clients were Coutts & Crosse. At the close of 
the year 1760 his fee book showed he had sixty clients within six months, 
thus proving that Henry was an industrious and capable lawyer from the 
beginning of his career. 

Henry entered public life ]May 20, 1765, when he was elected to the 
Virginia House of Burgesses. He was immediately placed upon the 
Committee of Courts of Justice, where he eloquently opposed a public 
loan to relieve individual embarrassment. It was on May 29, 1765, that 
Henry introduced his famous resolution against the stamp act, which gave 
the initial impulse to the American Revolution. Henry was never hired to 
do this. Every word he spoke commanded attention. Men's passions 
were no longer their own, Henry's eloquence being the smallest part of 
his merit. Rising to a lofty altitude and addressing the Speaker, Henry 



exclaimed, "Tarquin and Ceasar had each his Brutus, Charles the First 
his Cromwell, and George the Third — may profit by their example. If 
this be treason, make the most of it." Henry left for home the following 
day, clad in a pair of leather breeches, carrying his saddlebag on his 
arm, leading his horse — a patriot whose fame became recognized through- 
out the civilized world. After a famous painting by Rothermer, Henry 
is pictured as delivering his speech, garbed in a flowing gown somewhat 
similar to some worn by judges of the present day. So much for history 
and historical painting. From 1766 to 1773 Henry was always the leader 
in arousing the patriots to action throughout the entire colonies, as well 
as in Virginia, in armed resistance to' England, 

On the slavery question, Henry prophetically declared "that in such 
an age and in a country fond of liberty we find men professing religion; 
adopting a principal as repugnant as it is inconsistent with the Bible and 
which gives a gloomy perspective to future times." 

In the Virginia Assembly the irritating measures of England gave 
Henry his opportunity as an orator to persistently declaim against the 
British King. Henry led all the measures for a discontinuance of all 
commercial intercourse, declaring that "our independence will be estab- 
lished and we shall take our stand among the nations of the earth." 
This defiant prediction was made some time prior to the War of the 
Revolution. 

It was Henry who first opened the discussion at Philadelphia in the 
Continental Congress in 1774 by declaring that the distinctions between 
Virginians, Pennsylvanias, New Yorkers and New Englanders were no 
more, saying patriotically "I am not a Virginian, but an American." 
It was in the Second Virginia Convention that Henry moved the resolu- 
tion to arm the colony, eloquently supporting his motion by declaring 
"Our chains are forged. The war is inevitable. Give me liberty or give 
me death." 

On May 2, 1775, Henry was elected captain, and at the head of 150 
Hanover Volunteers marched to Williamsburg, demanding compensation 
for powder taken by Gov. Dunmore's men from magazines, provided for 
the safety of the colonies. In the same year Henry was chosen colonel 
of the first Virginia regiment and Commander of the Forces of Virginia. 
The Colony of Virginia was declared to be in a state of rebellion and the 
leader in the movement for the war (requiring no deliberation to join 
Massachusetts). A declaration of independence was adopted first at 
Mecklenberg, N. C, in 1775. 

It was in 1775 that Gov. Henry created the Virginia navy to fight 
British armed vessels, immortalizing the name of Capt. Cowper and the 
brig Dolphin, which was destroyed by Arnold in 1781 in the James River. 
Extraordinary powers were vested in Gov. Henry in making up conti- 
nental troops and State defenses in 1775. 

In 1776 Henry was the acknowledged leader in the Virginia Con- 
vention, and his part in perfecting the bill of rights had to do with the 
insertion of the principles of religious liberties, right of man and free 
government. Henry was furthermore most active in setting in motion 
"the ball of revolution" and giving it fresh impulse at every critical 



period. Many memorable events oecured dnrino- Henry's term as Gov- 
ernor in 1777-8. Notable were the assurance of the successful issue of the 
revolution through American victories at Saratoga and Brandywine, and 
the occupation of Philadelphia, the treaty with France and Henry's 
patriotic conduct in the matter of the attempt to engage him in the Con- 
way plot to supersede Washington — a proof of affection and esteem 
Washington never forgot. 

In the darkest days of Valley Forge, Gov. Henry came to the aid of 
Robert IMorris, of Philadelphia, and by persistent and effective measures 
raised the sum of £10,000 to buy pork and beef on the hoof, and also 
seized 2,000 bushels of salt and had it all conveyed to Valley Forge to 
relieve the distress of Washington's perishing troops. By this action 
Henry jorevented the threatened disbanding of the army because of the 
breakdown of the Quartermaster's and Commissary Departments as or- 
ganized by Congress. Henry further aided materially in securing a 
foreign loan to carry on the war. In 1779-80 Henry, owing to impaired 
health, declined a seat in Congress to return to the House of Virginia 
Delegates, imparting activity to all war measures and the advocacy of 
taxes to support the currency. 

Patrick Henery's prediction of foreign aid for the colonies was soon 
verified, and it came through Russian sympathy and aid. It was on 
February 26, 1780, that Catharine the Second of Russia declared for the 
maintenance of free navigation, and invited France, Spain and Holland 
to join her in helping the colonies against England,<-In 1780-1 Henry 
argued the claims of Virginia to the NortliAvest Territory, and the title 
of the United States to-day is based upon the deed from Virginia. The 
invasion of Virginia and the close of the American Revolution occurred 
this year, and it is to Henry's imperishable honor that he led Virginia in 
all measures of the revolution by his influence upon members of the upper 
counties. His boldness and their votes controlled the more timid gentle- 
men of the lower counties in Virginia. 

In 1781 to 178-4 Henry introduced many important bills, and served 
upon a number of committees advocating taxes and internal improve- 
ments, developing the Roanoke Navigation Company and the Dismal 
Swamp Canal and establishing a Presbj^terian academy to combat the 
French infidel influences which were inflicting the colonies and pervert- 
ing the students of William and Mary College. Henry Avas a pious as 
Avell as a patriotic man, and by promoting the Hampden-Sydney Academy 
to educate people in sound morals he helped to give rise to a struggle as 
to the support of religious teachings by taxes, the decay of religion and 
morality being apparent to all patriots of the colonies. 

In the universal tribute of admiration and gratitude to Washington 
throughout the colonies upon the conclusion of the war, Patrick Henry 
was foremost in behalf of Virginia in doing honors and recommending 
statues in marble. Likewise was he prominent in doing honors to Laf- 
ayette upon his visit in 1784, causing statues to be executed by Houdon. 
It was during Gov. Henry's fourth term that he proposed steamboat 
navigation and opposed the "State of Franklin," a suggested division 
of the State of North Carolina. In his fifth term Virginia began to 



pay her foreign debts, and Henry Avas elected a delegate to the proposed 
Federal Convention. 

The Treaty of 1783 was disappointing t'o Spain. She had not secur- 
ed the eastern valley of the Mississippi. In 1784 the Spanish Governor of 
Louisiana arranged with the Confederation of Indian Tribes to break 
up the pioneer southern and western American settlers in the valley. 
The King of Spain announced to Congress that under no circumstances 
would he consent to the navigation of the ]Mississippi by Americans. In 
the Jay Treaty Spain professed to grant commercial advantages for the 
East and Middle States on condition that the right to use the Mississippi 
be given up by America. Jay proposed that Congress yield that right for 
a term of years, and Congress in secret session in 1786 attempted to do so. 
Henry was confidentially warned by Alexander Hamilton of this plot to 
dissolve the united colonies by a proposed division of the Union, and on 
behalf of Kentucky defeated the selfish policy of the North in this attempt 
to barter away the rights of the colonies to the free navigation of the 
Mississippi to the injury of the Southern States and the dissolution of the 
bonds of union. 

It was in 1788 in the Virginia Legislature that Henry's power in 
debate is stated to be without parallel in the history of legislative bodies. 
He was on standing committees of propositions, grievances, commerce, 
privileges and elections, as well as chairman of the Committee on Courts 
of Justice. In a four days' debate Henry opposed a bill providing for , 

repeal of all acts repugnant to the Treaty of Peace and preventing 1\ i^lC 
recovery of British debts, and carried his amendments by a vote of 80 I ; /C* 
to 31. One of Henry's greatest speeches in the Virginia Convention in "k^r^JL. 
1788 was as the invincible advocate of popular rrghts, "soaring at times ^ 'O- 
like the eagle and like Jove armed, with thunder." Out of twenty-two 
days of debating, he -<?ceupied^)seventeen. On each of several days he 
made three speeches and on 'one day five speeches and on another day 
eight speeches. In one speech he was on his feet for seven hours. 

On the question of the adoption or rejection of the constitution, 
Henry spoke of the "awful immensity of the question to the present and 
future generations of America, who are awaiting with anxiety for a decis- 
ion which involves the happiness or misery of more than half the human 
race." He valued the Union as .a child of his loins, but he valued liberty 
more, and- labored to preserve both by making union the handmaid of 
liberty. He seemed endowed with prophetic vision. His great aim was 
to engraft such amendments as would protect the rights of the people and 
of the States from the great power called into existence and to render 
that power an instrument for good only. In the struggle for amend- 
ments, he was the object of anonymous abuse and scurrility. While this 
offended his friends and all the patriots throughout the colonies, he con- 
sidered it too puny a contest to notice, and reposed upon the conscious- 
ness of his own integrity in a dignified silence, breaking it only to say 
"Envy and. detraction is a tax which every man of merit pays for being 
eminent." His fear of a great power was its likeness to a kingly crow^r, 
extinction of freedom by the sAvord, an ambuscade in treaties and adop- 
tion of law, in which the rights of the people Avould be destroyed i-n- 
EAA'ares, and the power of money used in elections. 



Henry's exhaustive public services, all to the neglect of his OAvn 
private affairs, led to financial embarrassment, and in 1788 he was com- 
pelled to return to the practice of the law to support his family. He was 
at that time suffering- great anxiety under debts he was unable to pay. 
When he expressed his fears to his friend, Col. John Holcombe, the reply 
was, "Go back to the Bar. Your ability and voice will soon pay your 
debts, and I herewith retain you ^vith a fee of £5." Henry returned to 
law practice, and until 1794 attended the district courts of Prince Ed- 
wards and New London, in Virginia. OA\dng to his infirmities and ad- 
vanced age, he was obliged to travel by a carriage styled a "stick-gig." 

In 1790, as a member of the Electoral College, Henry cast his vote 
for George Washington for President, and George Clinton for Vice- 
President. He took no part in framing the constitution, but America is 
indebted to him for the safeguard for our liberties which were engrafted 
upon that instrument soon after its adoption. His great influence in 
Virginia continued after his retirement. His disapproval of Jefferson's 
amendments preserved in the constitution the ideals of 1776. The 
Americiin Revolution had for its ob.ject the preservation of the politicai 
rights of the colonists. Strong religious feeling prevailed, restraining 
their passions while fighting for liberty. The French Revolution began 
soon after the close of the American, but with an utter prostration of 
morals and degree of depravitj^ and without religion. Henry looked with 
horror upon French infidelity. In January of 1799 Washington wrote to 
Henry appealingly and confidentially that he was alarmed for the country, 
adding: 

"Everything dear and valuable to us is assailed. I urge you to come 
forward from your retirement and by your talents and influence stand in 
the breach. Vain will it be to look for peace and happiness or for 
security of liberty and prosperity, if civil discord should ensue, which is 
threatening." 

Infirm as Henry was, he could not resist this appeal of his friend 
Washington. Henry was elected in April as a delegate. His infirmities 
were such, however, that he died on the 6th of June, 1799. Worn out, 
his last words to his family were, "Observe how great a reality and bene- 
fit religion is to a man about to die." Along with his will was found a 
copy of his resolution of May 29, 1765, indorsed "Stamp Act" and stating 
that it established the points of resistance to British taxation, brought on 
the war and effected American independence, adding these memorable 
words : 

"Whether this will prove a blessing or a curse will depend upon the 
use our people make of the blessing, which a gracious God hath bestowed 
on us. If they are wise, they will be great and happy. If they are of 
a contrary character, they will be miserable. Righteousness alone can 
exalt them as a nation. Reader, whoever thou art, remember this, and 
in thy sphere practice virtue thyself and encourage it in others." 

Gov. Mason, of Virginia, eulogized Henry as the most wonderful 
speaker he ever heard, and the first man upon this continent as well in 
ability and public virtues. At times and in congenial society, Henry 



bad a gift of quiet humor, making him charmingly companionable On 
one occasion while Col. Lee was entertaining the company tediously over 
the genius of Cervantes as displayed in "Don Quixote,"' everybody else 
yawned. Lee, not observing it, continued to bore the company Henry 
taking advantage of the situation, arose very slowly from his chair and' 
wa king over to Lee, remarked that it was an excellent work and skill- 
tully ^adapted to the purpose of its author, adding: 

''But, my dear Lee, you have overlooked the finest thin^'- in it " 

"What is that?" asked Lee. 

- * o""^V^''.'^?''^ ^^''''^^' "' "" q^^zzical manner, ''that divine exclamation 
ot Sancho, Blessed be the man that first invented sleep. It covereth one 
all over like a cloak.' " 

Lee, observing that nearly all his friends had dropped off to sleep 
took the hint. The company finally broke up in good humor. 

As evidence of his retiring manner, Henry in March of 1790 was 
asked whether he would accept a United States Senatorship, and declined 
saymg, -I am to old to fall into those awkward inventions which are now 
become so fashionable." He was referring to the etiquette established 
at the levees and the courtly ceremonies inaugurated bv Washino'ton Yet 
these two patriots never lost their respect and friendship for each other 
The mother of Patrick Henry was originally a .Miss Sarah Winston 
and married a Col. John Syme, who died in 1731, leaving her a most 
attractive widow. In 1732 Col. William Byrd, an accomplished and witty 
man, on a visit described her as a portly, handsome dame of the family 
of Esau, that seemed not to pine too much for the death of her husband 
who was of the family of Saracens. 

''This widow," reported Col. Byrd, "is a person of a lively and cheer- 
till conversation, with much less reserve than most of her comitrvwomen 
The courteous widow invited me to rest myself there that day and -o to 
church with her. But I excused myself by telling her she would certainlv 
spoil my devotions. Then she civilly entreated me to make her house mv- 
home whenever I visited my plantation." 

Not many months after this Mrs. Syme was married to John Henry 
Nine children were born to John Henry and Sarah Winston, two sons and 
seven daughters, the second son being Patrick Henry, born May '>0 1736 
and named for his uncle, the rector of St. George's Parish, in Spottsyl- 
vania. This rector was probably the tutor who taught Henry at the ao-e 
of fifteen years to read Virgil and Livy in the original. Ws father 
described him as one of the most dutiful sons, and he was never known 
to utter the name of God, except on a proper occasion. His mother was -i 
member of the Fork Church, where Mr. Davies preached. Young Patrick 
her son, always accompanied her in her double gig. Eeturnino- from 
church she would make him give the text and a recapitulation of the dis- 
course. This early training of his mother's Presbyterianism had much 
effect upon his life and his persistency 'in advocating religious liberty 
This noble woman, to whom Henry owed so much of his talents and ad- 
mirable character, died in 1784. Those acquainted with her life and con- 
versatom have left testimony to her exalted Christian character 



What I have i-iveii here of the evidence revealed in the private corres- 
pondence of Patrick Henry disposes of the misrepresentations published 
in many encyclopedias regarding the life of the lawyer and patriot who 
set "the ball of the Revolution in motion." Personally, I am proud to 
present this evidence, being myself directly descended from that Henry 
and Hamilton family of Scotland in the seventeenth century, and like- 
wise descended directly from the colonial patriot, Hugh Henry, and the 
patriot Quaker, Robert Morris, of Philadelphia. The First Presbyterian 
Church of Philadelphia, on May 4, 1769, recorded the marriage of Phoebe 
Morris, daughter of Robert ]\Iorris, to Hugh Henry. 

If the children of our adopted citizens could, through the instru- 
mentality of our Patriotic Societies, be tavight the principle of the Ameri- 
can Revolution as conceived by "Patrick Henry," the future would pro- 
duce a high type of citizen. Education was one of the vital subjects that 
engaged Henry's attention in Colonial days, in 1780. He was a committee 
on a bill entitled "For the more general diffusion of knowledge," and in 
furtherance of such an object I now tender you compatriots and member's 
of the Empire State Society, Sons of American Revolution, my gift of 
three volumes of "PATRICK HENRY," his life, correspondence, and 
speeches, consisting of nearly 2,0.00 pages of invaluable testimony, re- 
vealed for the first time, showing his actual labors and that of other 
patriots who aided him in creating our great and glorious American 
Nation. 



OFFICERS 1906 - 7 



PRESIDENT, 

William Allen Marble. 

FIRST VICE-PRESIDENT, 
Hon. Cornelius A. Pugsley. 

SECOND VICE-PRESIDENT, 
Richard T. Davies. 

THIRD VICE-PRESIDENT, 
Frank B. Steele. 

SECRETARY, 

Louis Annin Ames. 

TREASURER, 
James de la Montanye. 

REGISTRAR, 

Teunis D. Huntting. 

HISTORIAN, 
William K. Wickes. 

CHAPLAIN, 
Rev. Frank Oliver Hall, D. D. 

MANAGERS, 

Walter S. Logan, John De^^^ Mowris, 

William H. Kelly, George D. Bangs, 

Dr. Frank E. Caldwell, John H. Burroughs, 

William E. F. Smith, \\'illiam M. Crane, 

Capt. Charles A. DuBois, George H. Denny, 

William S. Kitchell, Col. ^^llliam A. Croml)ie, 

Richard H. Roberts, Martin S. Allen, 

William W. J. Warren, Col. Edgar S. Dudley, 

Rufus I. Shea, Douglass W. Mabee, 

Dr. Israel C. Jones, Col. John W. Vrooman, 

Eugene A. Rowland. 



\ 



.^^ STATE ,Oe 




